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IRAN PACT: Obama woos support here, everywhere

The landmark deal curbs Iran’s nuclear program for a decade, in exchange for hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of relief from sanctions. Foes haven’t been subtle, so president will need to be at his most persuasive.

IRAN PACT: Obama woos support here, everywhere

At a glance

Under the agreement, Iran pledged to curb its nuclear program for a decade or more in exchange for potentially hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of relief from international sanctions. Many penalties on the Iranian economy, such as those related to the energy and financial sectors, could be lifted by the end of the year.

Like their Capitol Hill colleagues, Inland congressional representatives are split on a deal that would lift economic sanctions against Iran in exchange for concessions intended to prevent the Islamic republic from developing a nuclear weapon.

President Barack Obama is mounting an aggressive campaign to sell the accord – sending a team to Capitol Hill and around the planet in a diplomatic full-court press.

The landmark deal, struck between Iran and six world powers after an 18-day negotiation finale in Vienna, curbs Iran’s nuclear program for a decade or more, in exchange for potentially hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of relief from international sanctions.

Many key penalties on the Iranian economy, such as those related to the energy and financial sectors, could be lifted by the end of the year.

INLAND SCORECARD

Rep. Mark Takano, D-Riverside, praised the deal, which faces a skeptical reception and lots of scrutinizing in Washington.

“Today’s historic announcement is a culmination of years of hard work by many people,” he said in a news release. “While initial reports indicate that the agreement is what we sought, in that it prioritizes peace and safety over aggression and isolation, I plan to read the agreement in its entirety, confer with experts and meet with the Administration about how it achieves our goals.

“Most importantly, the agreement states that under no circumstances will Iran, ‘seek, develop, or acquire any nuclear weapons.’ Doing so would be a clear violation of the agreement and put Iran, the region, and the world, in a perilous situation. Luckily, the terms of this agreement look to avoid such a situation, but Iran must be in compliance at all times.”

Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Corona, opposes the agreement.

“Easing economic sanctions and arms restrictions on Iran places the safety of Americans and our allies in great jeopardy,” he said. “Risking that safety for the supposed promise of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon is a huge gamble that I believe is too dangerous to take.”

Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Palm Desert, said he would “carefully review” the deal.

“My top priority is the safety and security of the United States, Israel, and our allies,” Ruiz said. “It is essential that any agreement allow international authorities to verify Iran’s compliance in person, and without prior notice. And, it is also essential that Iran begin to dismantle its nuclear program before we remove economic sanctions.”

“I will not support any agreement that fails to implement these critical safeguards.”

Rep. Paul Cook, R-Yucca Valley, said he’s concerned about the level of nuclear enriched material Iran would be allowed to have under the deal. Inspectors also must have “full, unfettered, unscheduled” access to Iranian nuclear facilities, he said.

“More seriously, my concern is that the flood of money associated with sanctions relief will go overwhelmingly toward supporting terrorist organizations throughout the Middle East,” Cook said. “I’m not convinced that greater engagement with this terrorist regime will in any way moderate their behavior.”

‘TWO ALTERNATIVES’

President Obama said at a news conference this week that “there really are only two alternatives here: either the issue of Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon is resolved diplomatically, through a negotiation, or it’s resolved through force, through war.”

The president is dispatching three of his top lieutenants to pitch the Iran agreement to skeptical U.S. lawmakers. Secretary of State John Kerry, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz and Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew will testify next week before a key Senate committee on the seven-nation agreement.

House Speaker John Boehner said Thursday that the deal faced stiff opposition. “It’s pretty clear to me that a majority of the House and Senate, at a minimum, are opposed to this deal,” Boehner, R-Ohio, told reporters at the Capitol.

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